[CCLXXXIX.]
Tierri had won, and on the battle-field The Emperor Carle arrived with an escort Of forty Barons,—Naimes the Duke, Ogier De Dannemarche, Geffrei d'Anjou, Willalmes De Blaive.—In close embrace the King has pressed Tierri, and with his mantle's sables wiped The warrior's face; then lays his furs aside And on his shoulders others are arrayed. Meanwhile the knight, by friendly hands disarmed, On an Arabian mule is placed, and so This valorous Baron full of joy returns To Aix.—Amid the place they all dismount, And now the sureties must abide their doom. Aoi.
[CCXC.]
Carlemagne around him calls his counts and dukes: "What counsel give ye touching those I kept, Unto this plea who came for Ganelon Themselves sworn hostages for Pinabel?" Respond the French:—"Let none of them survive!"— Carle then commands a road-keeper, Basbrun: "Hang them all up on yon accursed tree! By this gray beard of mine, I swear, if one Escape, thou diest but a villain's death!"— Answered the man:—"What else but to obey?"— Then by a hundred sergeants roughly seized, Those thirty men are hanged.—Who man betrays Destroys himself and others drags to death. Aoi.
[CCXCI.]
And now have turned away Baiviers, Allemans, Poitevins, Bretons and Normans; but more Than all, the French advise that Ganelon Should die a death of torture. Then they tie With cords his hands and feet. Four sergeants bring Four wild and fiery destriers, made mad By a mare 'mid the field. A fearful end For Ganelon; bound between them, limb from limb Is rent away, each nerve and muscle stretched And torn. The clear blood streams upon the green. Thus perished Ganelon by a felon's death.... Traitors of evil deeds must never boast. Aoi.
[CCXCII.]
When the Emperor Carle had wreaked his full revenge, He called the bishops from the realms of France, And from Baviere, and those of Alemaigne: "Now in my [court] have I a captive, sprung From noble race. Such sermons has she heard, So good examples seen, she will believe In the true God, and Christian faith embrace. Baptize her so that He may save her soul; God-mothers choose her of our noblest dames." With a great company the Baths at Aix Were thronged, and soon before the holy Fonts The Queen received the name of Juliane: Henceforth a Christian holding fast the Truth. Aoi.